Operating and locking mechanism for window screens and the like



March 26, 1940.

s. A. SPENCER 2,194,774 OPERATING AND LOCKING MECHANISM FOR WINDOW SCREENS AND THE LIKE Filed May 25, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 7529.1

E; BYZ

I waq ATTORNEY- March 26, 1940. s, SPENCER 2,194,774

OPERATING AND LOCKING MECHANISM FOR WINDOW SCREENS AND THE LIKE Filed May25, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENT OR.

5 e mg encer Patented Mar. 26, 1940 UNITED STATE$ OPERATING AND LOOKING MECHANISM FOR WINDOW SCREENS AND, THE LIKE This invention relates to operating and locking mechanism for window screens and the like, and has for its purpose to afford a simple, practical and efficient construction that enables manufacturing and installing movable window screens at minimum expense.

More particularly, the invention has for its purpose to provide an operating mechanism of such character that the screen is brought within the price requirements of low cost housing, and at the same time will perform all the necessary functions of conventional types of screens.

Another object of the invention is to afford mechanism that enables using a screen which completely covers a window frame and swings from the top thereof, the screen being easily swung outwardly from the bottom of the window frame to permit accessfto the exterior surface of the window when desired.

Still a further purpose of the invention is to afford a simple and easily operated mechanism for moving such a swinging screen or other panel to either its inner or outer positions, for holding it in its outer position, and locking it firmly inv its inner position.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a structure that is particularly adaptable for use with wire screening without the necessity of side frame members carried by the screen, and constructing the mechanism in such a manner that the wirescreen is properly stretched when in its inner locked position, and is brought into intimate engagement with the sill of the window frame so as to avoid any'opening or gap at that point.

To these and other ends, the invention consists in the arrangement and construction of parts that will appear clearly from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the novel features being pointed out in the claims following the specification.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view in elevation showing a preferred embodiment of the invention as applied to a window screen, and looking from inside the window frame outwardly;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view showing the operating mechanism in side elevation with the screen in closed position, and

Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the screen in open position.

Although the structure disclosed shows the invention applied to a window screen, it is equally applicable in some of its aspects to a storm tached.

window, shade, shutter or-other panel arranged swingingly in a window frame, and referring more particularly to the drawings in which like reference numerals refer to the same parts. throughoutthe several views, I designates the sill of a conventional window frame, 2 are side members, and 3 is a top member to which the screen or other swinging panel is preferably ati In the structure shown, 4 designates a wire screen, the upper edge of which is secured by a rod 5 in a groove or recess formed in the sheet PATENT OFFICE 7 metal fastening plate 6 which includes a horizon: i

tal flange l that is attached suitably to the upper frame member 3. The wire screen 4 extends downwardly from the fastening plate 6, about which it may swing freely, the screen being operated and locked by the mechanism nowto be described.

The wire screen 4 at its lower end is preferably bent back upon itself to afford a double bottom portion 8 which yieldably and flexibly engages the top surface of the sill l for a purpose that crating members or rods carried by the screen and operable to hold it in either an outer or inner position. The rods l2 are secured to the screen adjacent to its opposite edges, nearthe bottom, and each rod includes a right angled portion M at its outer end, a curved portion l5 adjacent thereto, and anoppositely extending right angled portion I6 at its inner end.

The right angled portion [4 at the outer end of each rod 52 engages a supporting socket ll formed on a metal plate l8 that is secured fixedly over the screen to the metal fastening plate II], the rods l 2 thus having a permanent pivotal connection with the lower end of the screen, and being operable to move the screen outwardly or inwardly and to hold. it in either of such positions. To accomplish this, the window frame is provided with retaining plates [9 which are adjustably secured to the side supporting members 2 of the window frame by means of suitable attaching screws 20 engaging through slots 2| in the retaining plates l9 to permit any required vertical adjustment of the retaining plates. At its lower end, each retaining plate [9 is provided with a lateral flange or extension 22 that has a convex or V-shaped lower surface affording a fulcrum for engagement with the curved portion I5 of ment with the side frame members 2.

the operating rod l2 when the screen is to be locked in its inner position.

The screen is held in its outer position by means of the right angled extremity if? of each rod l2 engaging an opening 23 in the retaining plate Hi, there being sufficient flexibility of the rod to permit the necessary lateral movement for it to engage and disengage the opening 223. When the screen is to be closed, the rods it are moved laterally sufficiently to disengage the right angled portions 16 from the openings 23, and the rods are then positioned under the extensions or fulcrums 22. When the rods have been drawn inwardly far enough to bring the curved portions it beneath'the fulcrums the rods 2 2 are swung upwardly in the manner shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and such upward movement of the rods, by cooperation. between the curved portions it and the -shaped or convex fulcrums 22, stretches the screen 5 downwardly and at the same time draws it inwardly until its edges are in close engage- The rods l2 are held in this locking position by engagement with a bifurcated portion formed by outwardly bent or angular locking arms 2d at the upper ends of the retaining plates 59, affording therebetween a recess into which the rod i2 fits and is held against movement in either direction.

The rods i2 normally occupy the locked posi tion shown in Figs. 1 and 2, but are sufficiently flexible to permit them to be swung or moved laterally far enough to release them from engage-- ment with the locking arms 24 whereupon they can be swung downwardly and inwardly and then moved endwise outwardly to swing the screen away from the window frame when desired, and permit access to the outer surface of the window.

vWith a structure of this character, it is essential to maintain a close fit between the screen and the sill of the window frame, and this is accomplished in the present construction by placing the metal fastening plate it somewhat above the lower edge of the screen and providing the double lower portion 8 with a rounded lower edge which flexibly and yieldably engages the sill and mains tains close contact therewith, after the parts are once properly fitted and adjusted.

While the invention has been described with reference to-the particular construction shown, :it is not confinedto the details herein set forth,

and this application is intended to cover any modifications or departures coming within the purposes of the improvement or the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. The combination with a swingingly sup" ported endwise stretchable screen having its lower end bent upon itself affording a yieldable flexible edge engageable with the sill of a window frame, of a fastening plate secured to said double end of the screen at a point above its lower edge, an operating member pivotaliy secured to said fastening plate, a stationary fulcrum with which said operating member is engageable by an upward swinging movement, and means for holding the operating member in looking position, said fulcrum being located above the pivotal connection of said operating member and acting to force the pivotal point of the locking member and to stretch the screen downwardly and to hold said parts in such downward position when the screen is in closed position.

2. The combination with a swingingly supported endwise stretchable screen, of an operating member pivotally secured near the lower end thereof, a stationary fulcrum with which said operating member is engageable by an upward swinging movement to draw the screen inwardly and stretch it downwardly, the fulcrum being located above the pivotal connection of the operating member and acting to force the pivotal point of the operating member and to stretch the screen downwardly and to hold said parts in such downward position when the screen is in closed position, and means for holding the operating member in looking position.

3. The combination with a swingingly supported endwise stretchable screen, of an operating and locking rod pivotally secured near the lower end thereof, a stationary retaining plate including a lateral extension at its lower edge constituting a fulcrum about which said rod is mo able by an upward swinging movement to screen inwardly and stretch it downwardly, and an inwardly inclined bifurcated extension at the upper end of said plate constituting locking means for holding the rod, said fulcrum being located above the pivotal connection of the operating rod and acting to force said pivotal point of the operating rod and to stretch the screen downwardly and to hold said parts in such downward position when the screen is in closed position.

i. The combination with a swingingly supported endwise stretchable screen, of an operating and locking rod having a right-angled portion pivoted near the lower end of the screen, a curved portion adjacent to said right-angled portion, a stationary fulcrum with which said curved portion is engageable as the rod is swung upwardly, the fulcrum being located above the pivotal connection of the rod and acting to force the pivotal point of the rod and to stretch the screen downwardly and to hold said parts in such downward position when the screen is in closed position, and locking means for holding the rod in looking position.

5. The combination with a swingingly supported endwise stretchable screen, of an operating and locking rod having a right-angled portion pivoted near the lower end of the screen, a curved portion adjacent to said right-angled portion, a retaining plate having a lateral extension at its lower end affording a fulcrum with which said curved portion of the rod is engageable by upward swinging movement of the rod, and locking means extending into the path of the rod, said fulcrum being located above the pivotal connection of the rod and below said locking means when the panel is in closed position and acting to force said pivotal point of the rod and to stretch the screen downwardly and to hold said parts in such lowered position when the screen is closed.

- SETH A. SPENCER. 

